PA&VS REVIEW

How can you help support a person's need for sleep when hospitalized?

Clustering care (taking vital signs all together)

If a patient comes to the ER and is anxious and in pain, how will their pulse, respirations, and BP likely be?

High pulse, high respirations, and high BP

What is the most common way to check a patient's temperature?

Orally

What is the most accurate way to check a patient's temperature?

Rectal temperature

If a patient has heart disease, what temperature method should not be taken?

Rectal temperature

What are the normal ranges for oral temperature?

97.6-99.6 °F

What are the normal ranges for tympanic temperature?

97.6-99.6 °F

What are the normal ranges for rectal temperature?

98.6-100.6 °F

What are the normal ranges for axillary temperature?

96.6-98.6 °F

Where should the thermometer be placed for an oral temp?

Under the tongue, toward the side of the mouth

What is the normal range for pulse/heart rate for an adult?

60-100 beats per minute

Where is the carotid pulse located?

Underneath the chin

What characteristics should you pay attention to when checking a patient's pulse?

Rate, rhythm, and volume

What is the normal range for respirations for an adult?

12-20 breaths per minute

How is respiration measured?

By the number of breaths per minute

What is blood pressure?

The amount of pressure exerted against arterial walls by blood

What blood pressure reading is considered hypertension?

140/90 or higher

What blood pressure reading is considered hypotension?

Less than 90/60

What happens with the heart when you hear the systolic blood pressure?

The heart is contracting and squeezing out blood

What does the AVPU scale measure?

Patient level of consciousness

What does the letter 'A' in the AVPU acronym stand for?

Awake/alert

What does the letter 'V' in the AVPU acronym stand for?

Verbal response

What does the letter 'P' in the AVPU acronym stand for?

Pain response

What does the letter 'U' in the AVPU acronym stand for?

Unresponsive

What medical condition causes rapid weight gain and requires daily weight monitoring?

Congestive heart failure

What can height and weight measurements be used for in healthcare?

Medication dosages, monitoring growth, nutritional evaluation

How often are vital signs taken in a hospital setting?

On admission and with changes in condition

What is the most important indicator of the health of the body?

Vital signs and whether they are within normal ranges

What are subjective observations?

Observations that may or may not be factual, based on what the patient tells you

What are objective observations?

Factual observations that can be observed by others

List some examples of signs and symptoms.

Signs: ↑ heart rate, sweating; Symptoms: headache, weakness

What factors should be considered when understanding a person's pain level?

Comfort, anxiety, fatigue, grief, pain, gas, urinary retention, muscle cramping

Define bradypnea.

Slow breathing, less than 12 breaths per minute

Define tachypnea.

Rapid breathing, greater than 20 breaths per minute

Define bradycardia.

Slowed heart rate

Define tachycardia.

Rapid heart rate

What is hypothermia?

Lower than normal body temperature

What is hyperthermia?

Higher than normal body temperature

What does febrile mean?

Having/showing symptoms of a fever

What does afebrile mean?

No fever

What is orthostatic hypotension?

Temporary fall in blood pressure when a person rapidly changes position

How would you obtain an apical pulse on a patient?

Using a stethoscope, counting for a full minute

What fluids can be used for oral suctioning?

Mucus, blood, vomit, and other secretions

How long can you perform oral suctioning before needing a break?

No longer than 15 seconds, wait 1-2 minutes before repeating

What happens with the heart when you hear the diastolic blood pressure?

The heart muscles are relaxed

Why is hypertension called the silent killer?

It often has no symptoms until serious complications occur

What is the normal range for SpO2?

95% - 100%

How often should coughing and deep breathing be encouraged?

Early in the recovery phase and every hour

What is the purpose of coughing and deep breathing exercises?

To prevent complications from short and shallow breathing

What is hypoxia?

Increased rate and depth of respirations

List signs and symptoms of hypoxia.

Anxiety, restlessness, fatigue, behavioral changes

What blood pressure readings should you report to the RN?

178/102, 88/50, 146/96

What heart rate/pulse readings should you report to the RN?

128, 44

What respiration rates should you report to the RN?

22, 10, 32, 40